International Student Health Insurance

What is International Student Health Insurance?

Having adequate international health insurance coverage while pursuing an overseas education is essential, as going without it may ultimately be a costly oversight. Because most health insurance plans offer limited international coverage, many full-time students and scholars pursuing education in the U.S. as an international study or U.S. students studying abroad choose to purchase international student health insurance for comprehensive coverage away from home.

International student health insurance is designed specifically to meet medical coverage needs while living and studying in a foreign country. Coverage is available for domestic students traveling abroad, and for international students choosing to pursue an education in the U.S. Just one uninsured illness or accident could be enough to cut your visit short and pose a serious financial setback. With international student health insurance, you enjoy low deductibles, comprehensive coverage and the peace of mind knowing that you are covered by a global network of healthcare providers at all times.

International student health insurance options available from HCCMIS include:

International Student Health Insurance Benefits

Coverage is available for all types of activities abroad including:

Study Abroad Insurance– This coverage is for full-time undergraduate students who are pursuing an education outside of their home countries. Study abroad insurance is available both domestically and for students visiting the U.S. on an educational visa.

Teach Abroad Insurance – Native English-speaking teachers are in high demand around the world. Teachers who temporarily go abroad for teaching purposes need teach abroad insurance to provide financial protection from the costs associated with medical attention in a host country.

Graduate Student Insurance – Graduate students often choose to pursue higher education abroad, as international study can enhance the value of a degree program. Graduates who study full-time in a host country need reliable international graduate student insurance coverage.

International Students Studying in the U.S.

Hundreds of thousands of students come to the U.S. every year to experience life in the U.S. and to attend some of the most prestigious schools in the world. To be accepted into the U.S. to study, international students must apply for a J-1 or F-1 visa from the U.S. Department of State. The next step should include plans to purchase international health insurance that will provide medical benefits while studying in the U.S. If you have a J-1 visa, the Department of State requires health coverage during your stay in America – and StudentSecure® health insurance plans meet and exceed all of those requirements.

U.S. Students Studying Abroad

Every year, more and more U.S. students embark from the United States to explore the benefits of an international education. There are learning opportunities in countries all around the world, and many schools and universities offer accredited exchange programs that are designed to encourage cultural diversity on campuses across the globe.

If you are a U.S. student considering international study, you must first choose a country to visit, and then take all of the necessary steps to make your stay comfortable and safe. These steps include acquiring all legal documentation for travel, getting immunization shots against disease and finding ways to fund your study abroad. Most importantly, it is important to protect yourself with an international student health insurance plan that will cover any medical expenses you may encounter away from home. StudentSecure® is study abroad health insurance that provides comprehensive coverage for collegiate sports injuries, emergency medical services, inpatient care, outpatient care and doctor’s visits – all with low out-of-pocket costs.

Benefits of Studying Abroad

You’ll enjoy many benefits while studying abroad, regardless of which country you visit. Many students pick up new languages and gain broader world perspectives while building friendships in other countries. In the long term, you’ll also enjoy professional benefits, as many employers prefer to hire applicants with a history of international travel and study.

Finding Financial Aid

Studying abroad requires significant financial backing, which many students acquire personally through family and savings accounts. Others, however, must find outside funding through various scholarships, grants and student loans.

Scholarships for International Students
There are many study abroad scholarships available to U.S. students, including the David L. Boren Study Abroad Scholarship and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. International students may have success finding scholarships through third-party organizations that provide funding to students who attend certain schools, study a particular major or adhere to other standards.

Grants for International Students
Grant funding does not have to be repaid and is the most widely used form of funding in the U.S. Millions of students are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant every year, which is available for use in study abroad programs. The ACG and SMART Grants are also helpful for undergraduates with a 3.0 or higher GPA who are pursuing an international education. Government grants are not available to international students, but many schools and universities throughout the U.S. offer grant funding to international students studying in the U.S.

Loans for International Students
Typically, loans are supplemental to scholarships, grants and personal funding, as they must be repaid following graduation. Many federal student loans are available to domestic students, and some are subsidized by the government to pay the interest on the loan while borrowers are still in school. International students also have access to student loans, although they are not subsidized and may have stricter lending requirements.

Picking the Right International Student Health Insurance Plans
Your health is nothing to put at risk. It’s important that you carefully select your international student health insurance plan before going abroad. Your domestic health insurance is unlikely to fully cover you overseas, and you will need access to comprehensive coverage that protects you and your dependents at affordable prices. For more information about StudentSecure® and the coverage it offers, get your free quote today.

FAQS

If you are new to studying abroad, you probably have questions about purchasing international student health coverage. Some popular questions include:

Study Abroad Resources

HCC Medical Insurance Services, LLC (HCCMIS) is a service company that is a subsidiary of HCC Insurance Holdings Inc. HCCMIS is regulated by the State of Indiana in our capacity as Third Party Administrator. HCCMIS has authority to enter into contracts of insurance on behalf of the Lloyd's underwriting members of Lloyd's Syndicate 4141, which is managed by HCC Underwriting Agency Ltd.